London to Brighton and back!

On the 26th and 27th September me and Rob had been daft enough to sign up to cycle the London to Brighton Challenge, there and back!

We originally looked at doing London to Brighton but the offer for the there and back ride was too tempting to say no too, or so we thought at the time. The ride was a total of 120 miles or 200km setting off from Smithfield Market in Central London all the way South until we hit the coast at Brighton, before cycling all the way back again.

Pre ride happy photo.

Before we set off it was time for a few photos, last bike check, some food, hydration and a little panic about what we had signed up too. At about 11pm we set off and it had to be said cycling out of London around midnight really wasn't simple, I thought the traffic would have died down slightly but it really hadn't. The roads weren't the best and I was one of many who had a light on pop out of it's holder and onto the road, thankfully everybody on the ride was really friendly and helpful and they all had their lights returned. The first rest stop was at 17km so not far but it was just out of London and a good point to meet back up with Rob and then time to set off again.

Once out of London the temperature really dropped cold but the roads improved and it was nice to be away from traffic lights. The next aim was Tulleys Farm which was around the half way point to Brighton (57km roughly). By this point we were both feeling confident about the ride and we became very happy once we got into the tent and saw the food they had put on for the riders. It was time to get some carbs in the system to help keep us going on the ride over night. Once we had used the facilities available it was back on our bikes and off to the next rest point.

Oakmeeds Community College was the next stop off point around 80km and it was really cold by now. I had to warm up in front of one of the heaters in the sports hall, after about 10 minutes I could feel my toes again and my socks had warmed up nicely to put back on. After warming up, refilling our water bottles and a handful of sweets to keep us awake we set off once more, next stop Brighton.

Well Brighton is the next stop but first we've got to get up and over the Ditchling Beecon. We have both cycled some nice hills around Belper and surrounding areas in preparation knowing they weren't anything like Ditchling but still some good hills. All I can say is I'm so glad we cycled up there in the dark so you couldn't make out the gradient. At first it wasn't as bad as I was expecting but it soon became a relentless uphill challenge. I could hear one of the guides encouraging a woman behind me and telling her "the more you cycle the less you need to walk." it made me laugh but also helped me keep focus. This was my challenge within the challenge, don't walk at any point on the up hills. I have read other blogs and it gets mentioned so often that this is the point to walk. I refused to do that and powered on to the top! BOOM I had done it!!! Ditchling Beacon conquered, happy days.

The video below is taken from YouTube to show what it's like the cycle up there. There was no point using my GoPro as in the pitch black it would have recorded nothing.

From here we were informed it was downhill all the way to Brighton, well in a car it may seem that was but it really wasn't. We eventually made it to Brighton as the last few people were leaving some of the bars and had some original heckling of "look it's the Tour de France.". It was nice to eventually make it to the Brighton rest stop and go to the toilet, get some food and drink. It was however depressing watching people get their medals for cycling to Brighton knowing we had to return to London to get ours.

When we set off the sun was just coming up but it really didn't warm us up. The trip back to the top of Ditchling Beacon was a long long gradual incline but once at the top the views were amazing. I did get a photo but there was some sweat on my phone so it looks a bit blurred - Instagram.

Now after cycling up the Beacon it never crossed my mind how fast it was going to be to cycle back down it. According to Robs Garmin we hit 39mph and that was while breaking most of the way down it. All there was to do now was cycle back to London and finish! This was only a matter of another 80km to get there. By this point it was the longest bike ride me and Rob had ever done and there was a long way left to go. Each rest stop seemed to be absolutely miles away and the small hills on the way seemed like mountains now. 

As the minutes and then hours past we got closer and closer to London. First passing Gatwick Airport which passed a few minutes watching the departures fly over head, then it was the first time I've ever been happy to see the M25 as it meant we were one step closer. Once past the M25 we had less than 30km left to cycle. That last 30km took us over 2 hours as our legs were spent, traffic was building up and traffic lights took away any momentum. 

Our route including elevation.

Eventually at 2:30pm we finished!!! I could hardly keep my eyes open and walking felt odd but who cared it was over! Time to go back to the hotel have a well needed shower and sleep. 

DONE!!!

So you may ask why we did this, well two reasons:- something big to aim for on a personal level for us both to work on our own fitness, push ourselves and see what we could do. Secondly to help raise money for Cancer Research UK.

My JustGiving page is - www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Robs page is - www.justgiving.com/Rob-Marron

Please visit and donate to either page.

Bring on 2016 and maybe the Leeds to Manchester ride with another client for a challenge.

Thanks

Adam

September LONG WALK!!! Erewash Valley Trail

So the aim for September was a 30km walk so we can build up 5km per month ready for the Isle of Wight Challenge next year. We were going to cover a large section of the Erewash Valley Trail including the section on the previous walk - Trent Lock Long Walk.

We had mapped out a route that was almost bang on the 30km mark so we knew it was a good route to do. The bad thing was this was planned in August and my memory is shocking and I forgot which point we joined the Canal path. Basically we went wrong at the top on my street as I keep getting reminded of nearly a month later.

The walk ended up being 40.5km so a huge 10.5km longer than planned. However everybody on the walk is doing next years Isle of Wight challenge and the distance has to keep getting bigger. We all had sufficient food and hydration with us and managed it.

Our 40.5km walk

Now the walk is over everybody is looking back on it and feeling a massive sense of achievement and pride that they did it. I actually really enjoyed the walk and loved the views, the banter and being out exercising for the majority of the day. 

The walk covered a few sections of previous walks on the Nottingham Canal (Trowell Garden Centre) and the Trent Lock walk at the end. However my addition to the walk added going past Bennerly Viaduct and Winston the windmill which explains the 10km extra as we shouldn't have joined at that point. Once past Trowell Garden Centre we walked towards and in Bramcote Hills Park, this provided our first little rest stop and time for a coffee for one walker. The next section of the walk really isn't the nicest. It's off the paths and just walking along pavements over the new Tram line until you get to Attenborough. Here we had our main rest stop on the picnic tables at the visitor centre. We didn't stop too long as it was a cool windy day as we didn't want to start to stiffen up. Once out of the Nature reserve it's along side the River Trent until you get to Trent Lock.

Along the River Trent.

On the River Trent.

Trent Lock provided our next little stop and time for a well needed ice cream as it was at this point the walk had clocked up just under 30km so we should be home, however we still had 12.5km left to walk. 

This was the hardest part of the walk, but also the most important section. Everybody was starting to feel tired and their legs were aching. However we just kept going! The locks on the return leg were vital as they let us set mini targets, rest at a lock, walk past a lock, rest at a lock etc. From walking this section on the previous walk it meant we knew we could do it and we knew how far sections were. It wasn't long until we could see the M1 so knew Ilkeston was coming. By time we left the Canal back in Ilkeston at Nottingham Road it was dropping dark and I was lucky not to have been pushed into the canal.

We might have only been 2km from home but a quick stop in the garage for water to keep our hydration levels up all the way to the end was needed. Once we got back it was time to sit and chill! After walking 40.5km (25 miles) setting off just after 10am and returning in the dark it was reflection time. Some people had been worrying about next years IoW challenge but this proved to them it is and will be possible. 

Danny is doing the IoW challenge for Crohn's and Colitis UK - www.justgiving.com/Daniel-Brooks3

Lauren is doing it for Cancer Research UK - www.justgiving.com/Lauren-Roper2015

Joanne is also doing it for Cancer Research UK - www.justgiving.com/Joanne-Seacombe2

Sian is doing it for Miscarriage Association  - www.justgiving.com/Sian-Pickering

For the fact I pushed them to walk so far and they didn't push me into one of the canals please visit their JustGiving pages read their individual stories and make a donation. 

Not only are these walks improving our lives physically with exercise but the social and psychological benefits from walking and exercise are amazing too. But we are all doing this not only to improve our lives but the lives of other people too by raising money for some very good charities. 

Exercise can improve lives, not only yours but as we are proving the lives of others too.

Wollaton 10K

Run 2 of 3 in a row now. Last week was the Ramathon and next week is Water Wipeout, but this week is Wollaton 10k. Back to Nottingham after last weeks visit to Derby, all nice local runs meaning minimal travel to the events which is nice.

Last year I set a 10k PB on the course and I haven't got a clue how, it just fell into place. (Wollaton 10k 2014) I then set a new PB this year at Derby 10k so knew I was up against it. Last week in the half marathon I had slowed my pace from around 4 min 30 sec per km to around 4 min 50 / 5 min per km. I knew it would be tricky trying to get the pace back up with only 1 short run mid week to try and get the pace back.

On the morning of the event it was throwing it down! I don't mind running in the rain as I sweat buckets so it helps keep me cool but there are limits. The state I'm usually in post race is how I looked at the start line this time. It was the same course as last year and my first of the 2 5km laps felt ok, I was only about 15 seconds down from my PB time. However I seemed to just hit a wall at 7/8km and my pace just dropped for no reason what so ever! I think the last couple of km were run at about 5min per km, way down on what I needed. I finished in 47 minutes 25 seconds which I was disappointed with. On the plus side I did finish 37th of 262 runners, compared to 52nd of 477 runners last year. This shows how the weather effected the race but the turnout as well.

This years winner was Ian Hunter in 38 minutes 9 seconds, last year he finished 3rd in 35 minutes 57 seconds. So I shouldn't moan too much as the conditions effected everybody in a similar fashion.

I also had a client running the 10k too, it should have been one client but after an accident involving stairs, dog toy and falling over it resulted in a broken metatarsal a week before the run. Another client stepped up and transferred the place and he ran in her place. With minimal training time for the 10k and the shocking weather he managed a respectable 1 hour 7 minutes, down on his PB but a cracking results in the circumstances.

Bring on next year for my third year at the event.

A tad wet post run.

Great work Rob.

Robs work deserves some donations for a great charity. Please visit his JustGiving Page.

Derby Ramathon

After finishing last years Nottingham Half marathon and actually sort of enjoying it I wanted to find another one this year. At first I saw the Sporting Futures Derby Half but it's the same weekend in September as I'm cycling London to Brighton. I then found the Ramathon and it fitted perfectly into my schedule. Also being from Ilkeston having a Derby postcode and a Nottingham phone number it felt right to do a Derby half to match with the Nottingham run.

The race starts and finished from Pride Park (iPro Stadium) like the Derby 10k but that's about the only similarity in the route. The 10k going into the City centre and around the Cathedral Quarter, where the Ramathon went out to Alvaston, Shardlow, Thulston, Elvaston and back to Pride Park. 

Derby 10k route 2015

Ramathon route 2015

The route was really flat with just a few undulations, the sun was out and I was sweating as always. One of my clients was running it and her partner from Beeston Cycling Club was there taking photos. Thanks to his massive camera and bright cycling helmet I could spot him and put on a smile for his photos, or laugh at times because it felt like I was playing "Where's Wally?" looking for him to pop up and take a photo.

2km into the race, a proper smile.

About 12km, laughing at spotting him again.

About 18km, a slightly forced smile/laugh, just let me finish now.

I had never realised how big or nice the park was behind the Pride Park complex, it seemed to go on for a lot longer than the 2/3km we ran in it. Once the iPro Stadium was back in view it was nice, the finish was almost here. I knew I was slightly up on my time from last Septembers Nottingham Half Marathon but I wasn't 100% sure how much. As I turned the penultimate corner a brass band were playing some tunes and I could see about 5 people in front of me and thought game on let's see how many I can overtake. Some how there was a huge sprint finish left in my system and boom overtook all of them. Once I crossed the line I couldn't wait to get a bottle of water, a banana, the medal and some sleep!

My PB for a half marathon at this point was 1 hour 49 minutes and 31 seconds, on this day in Derby I ran in 1 hour 45 minutes 44 seconds, smashing a huge 3 minutes and 47 seconds off my PB. Time to have a big stretch and chill for the rest of the day now.

For more photos please look at my Instagram account.

Another great run done supporting Cancer Research UK too - JustGiving.

Night at the Dogs

Night at the Dogs

On Friday 15th May I organised a night at Nottingham Greyhound Stadium with all the ticket sales money going towards Cancer Research UK.

The evening was part of their "Sporting League Cup" where different sports teams and charities can apply for 100 tickets and the money from sales they keep/donate. We managed to sell about 88 of our 100 tickets raising £440 for Cancer Research UK. This is split between mine and Robs JustGiving pages and helped hit our fundraising target for our London to Brighton Bike ride in September.

My Page - www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Robs Page - www.justgiving.com/Rob-Marron 

Both of us are raising money for Cancer Research UK and it was a brilliant night helping a great charity.

I will be organising another night out there again later in the year so sign up on my website for the newsletters and you will see when it's organised.

A massive thank you to all that attended and donated. I know a few of you left with some winnings and I wasn't one of them.

Santa Dash

So I thought after Men's Health Challenge I had finished with running events for the year with the posbikity of adding a Santa Dash.

" That's now 12 races down, 0 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014...... apart from a Santa Dash.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k - 1 hour 49 minutes and 31 seconds.
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k - 1 hour 13 minutes 15 seconds.

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt "

Well I added a Santa Dash in Nottingham on Sunday 14th December organised by When you wish upon a Star. It was a cold morning but once you had an extra layer (Santa Suit) it wasn't too bad. 

It was a really nice 2.5km route around Forest Recreation Ground that you could walk or run 1 or 2 laps. We had a little group of us and some walked, some ran, either way we had a good time, fresh air and some exercise. Once again I wore the GoPro so I could get some footage of a group of Santa's running around Nottingham. 

It was a really well organised event and I will happily do it again next year. That takes me to 13 events and 172km for 2014 for Charity. I think 2015 will bring some different events as it's good to keep pushing yourself and finding new ways to raise money for charity too. 

Robin Hood Half Marathon

28th September 2014 was the date for my first ever half marathon. I have covered many 10km this year for Cancer Research UK and even 54km as part of the Isle of Wight Challenge but this is the first half marathon I've attempted.

It had to be said I was nervous as I didn't know how I would cope with the distance none stop running. Everybody had been telling me I will be fine and my fitness levels are easily good enough with my job but there's always room for doubt before an event.  

Once I was at the start point ready for the warm up I was growing in confidence thinking 21km of running won't be as bad as 54km of running and walking. I knew I had been slowing down my race pace from around 4min 35sec per km for the 10km races to around 5min 10sec per km for this.

This practice worked really well as by 5, 10 and then 15km I was averaging between 5min to 5min 20sec per km. Unfortunately at 12km my iPod died, so much for the battery life being accurate. This didn't turn out to be a bad thing in the end as I plugged my headphones into my phone and listened to MapMyRun updating me of my time and pace each km.

At the 17km point I was actually feeling really good and any worries I had prior to the event had long gone. This showed with my pace increasing each km toward the finish line. The 21st km was completed in 4 minutes 28 seconds and the final 500m was a quicker pace still as I ended up in a sprint finish against another bloke with the crowd getting louder.

DONE!!!

There were loads of water station along the route and I had a couple of energy gels in my pockets to keep my energy up. I've since read there is a gentleman in a coma after dehydrating once he crossed the finishing line - Nottingham Evening Post. Hopefully he has a good recovery and can continue to run for pleasure or fitness soon. This highlights the risk exercise can have and the importance of sufficient hydration while exercising.

I really enjoyed the run which I honestly didn't expect too and finished in 1 hour 49 minutes 31 seconds. Bring on 2015 for another half marathon or two and hopefully an improved time. 
That's now 11 races down, 1 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k - 1 hour 49 minutes and 31 seconds.
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Wild Warrior

Last Sunday was X Runner's Wild Warrior at Wild Parks Derbyshire. A nice set of 64 obstacles over 10km with water slides, fire, mud pits etc. After the Isle of Wight Challenge it was nice to have a mess about event. Once I got there I bumped into a client who had just finished and was just a tad muddy and didn't smell too good. This meant one thing don't swallow any water on this course!!!

Pre-Run & Post-Run but both happy.

I didn't have any set time I would be happy with as a result for this race as it was the first time I had run it and didn't know how busy course would be or how tricky obstacles would be. 

By the end of lap one I realised I hadn't be overtaken by many people from the start line but knew a few had vanished into the distance too. The first lap was really enjoyable with everything being new and thinking what will be round the next corner. The second lap was more of a let's get to the finish now for a warm bath and shower. The water really did stink and wasn't pleasant at all but the course was brilliant. 

I ended up finishing 109th out of about 1880 which I was happy with but even better out of the wave of just under 300 I finished 4th. 

I think a wash is required!

In fact it was a shower, bath then another shower for myself to become clean again. My clothes had 2 or 3 washes too and the top still isn't fully white. Good job it only has to more races then it can be retired and I can try to get another one next year.

The last big push is on now with two races to go, the biggest being tomorrow for the Robin Hood Half Marathon followed by Men's Health Challenge in a few weeks.

That's now 10 races down, 2 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds.
Wild Warrior 10k - 1 hour 18 minutes 42 seconds.
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Isle of Wight Challenge

Saturday 23rd August was my biggest challenge to date. If felt like every walk and run up till now was a practice for this the main event. A mammoth 56km (turned out to be 54.5km thanks to coastal erosion.) walk, jog and run. If you've read any previous blogs you will see there have been a number of walks and runs this year I've participated in. All of these have been practice events ensuring I'm ready for this event. 

 After a nice drive down Friday afternoon with a good crossing from Lymington to Yarmouth I was getting excited for the following day as the weather was perfect. At the same time it was starting to look very real and large when you could see from the East - Cowes all the way across to the West - The Needles. This being only around half of the event I was participating in. After a little drive we arrived at our friends house who we were staying with for the weekend and time to do one final check that I had all my belongings for the event.

Race Day

A nice early morning to get to East Cowes for registration and the start. I had a bag packed with water, High 5 energy gel packs, first aid kit and a few naughty treats. At this point all I could think was bring it on!!!

Ready at the start line.

One of my clients was also doing the event so it was nice to chat to them at the start line. I walked the first 5km with her and her friend to get into the swing on things and have a read of the map. After seeing one gentleman throwing up and his friend pull out a pack of cigarettes I saw that as my sign to turn a walk into a run.

The first drinks point was at 17km so I ran the 12km to get there asap. The first 5km walking took just over 50 minutes followed by the 12km run in 1 hour 5 minutes. SO far I was very impressed with the organisation, every single km was marked and loads of signs so you wouldn't get lost or injure yourself on any hazards.

Good job for the sign or I would have been close-lined by the branch. 

Bye 17km rest point, bring on the next 38ish km.

From here I ran and walked to the next rest stop and the halfway point at 30km. The views on this section were amazing looking out over the hills to the mainland, the needles and into the island. It was nice seeing other walkers out and about using the paths along the coastal route. Having them wish me luck along the run was a brilliant feeling and hopefully raised even more awareness for Cancer Research UK in my purple running top. 

The Needles and Alum Bay. 

At this point I was going to stop and have some food but my legs were burning. I was currently about 30km in 4 hours. I had run about 20km of that so almost a half marathon with a light rucksack on my back and so many stiles to climb over. Rather than sit and have food and drink where I would have cooled down and started to stiffen up. I just refilled my water bottles enjoyed some sweets and a few High 5 energy gel packs. The Isle of Wight's a funny place as from here it was time to go up the Downs. Setting off from around Warren farm it was a nice gentle walk up to the Tennyson Monument on the Needles Headland & Tennyson Down.  

Tennyson Monument

This point was a great feeling as for the first time in the event I was looking at a different coastline as I was now on the Southern leg of the event. Looking out over the English Channel rather than The Solent was a nice psychological change and felt like a huge milestone. I've visited the Isle of Wight most years of my life and either the sense of achievement doing the event but I've never seen the sea looking as bright blue as it was that day. The next 10km was the part of the event I was looking forward to the most as it's the part of the Island I spent a lot of time there as a child. From Freshwater to Compton Beach so many memories of playing on the beach, and skimming stones into the sea. I think this gave me an energy boost as it only took 1 hour 10 minutes to run/walk the 10km. At college I did A Level Geography and I still love it now even if it's nothing to do with being a Personal Trainer. This helped provide a big distraction along the South coast as there is huge erosion along the coastline. 

Yes the cliff falling down is a little hazard.

I really wouldn't have enjoyed being the event manager and risk assessor for this event with so many sections at risk of slipping. Action Challenge did an amazing job for the event with every little part of the run signed for you to see the correct route, avoid hazards and know how far you had run. 

The last 15km were the hardest by a long way, at this point the event was already at Marathon distance which was a PB distance for myself to have ran/walked. With the uneven ground over the route my knees and hips were really feeling the impact now and the cooling coastal wind didn't help either. BUT as each km passed and the finish got closer and closer managing to run a km, walk a few hundred meters then run a bit again, walk I was soon down to the last few km. All that was in my mind now was let me see the finish line!

Eventually after turning one last corner there it was the bright white marquee, usually I enjoy a little sprint finish. This time my legs have nothing left to give as I walked towards to finish line in what felt like slow motion. I then made myself laugh imagining the Chariots of Fire theme song going round in my head as I crossed the line. 

Finished!!!

Boom race finished!!! 54.5km in the end in 7 hours 48 minutes and 35 seconds. I had a sub 8 hour time in my head but didn't set myself a specific goal as I honestly didn't have a clue what time it would take. At first all I wanted was sleep but then when it hit me that I had finished and I had done an amazing event for Cancer Research UK I was buzzing. Plus it meant it was time to eat and relax, bring on the BBQ. 

After a long warm bath, fluids to stop my left hamstring from cramping up and a load of BBQ food I chilled out with the new Dr.Who and my trusty foam roller. A few of the positions were painful but thanks to stretching post run they weren't too bad. A bit of myofascial release with the foam roller is an amazing stretch when done correctly. 

I found the results a few days later and I was annoyed at the time posted for myself 8 hours 2 minutes but realised they scanned us before we did the warm up so their "official" time includes warm up compared to my actual moving time of under 8 hours. Ignoring the time for now I couldn't believe it when I looked down the list and saw that I actually finished 9th out of 120 finishers of 141 starters. 

That's now 9 races down, 3 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k - 7 hours 48 minutes 35 seconds
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt

Color Run - Birmingham

This run wasn't about recording a fast time at all as shown by my time on MapMyRun - 45 minutes 38 seconds for the 5km. It was all about having a good time, getting nice and colourful and doing a bit of exercise. The run is advertised as "the happiest 5k on the planet" as it's all about fun.

A nice drive to Birmingham NEC where the Color Run was based, with the route going around the NEC complex. People turned up in the thousands all starting the day looking very white, but they didn't stay that way for long. The day got even better when we found the Dulux Dog!!! This really was going to be "the happiest 5k on the planet".

Such a soft dog.

Over the course there was 4 different colour stations then a massive paint party at the end. Each station you got covered in a different coloured powder paint. The volunteers at each station looked incredible as they were either bright pink, green, orange (Oompa Loompa style) or Blue (Smurfish). 

Time to be a Smurf.

Post run, gutted lots of the paint blew off in the wind. 

Nice shades of purple created on my back from the blend of different colours, Rob's just a mess haha. 

This was a nice relaxed little stretch of the legs before the hardcore events of the Isle of Wight Challenge and Robin Hood Half Marathon take place.

Bring on Color Run 2015 as hopefully I will have a massive group of clients all looking to paint themselves while exercising. 

That's now 8 races down, 4 to go for Cancer Research UK in 2014.

Derby 10k - 45 minutes 11 seconds.
Awsworth 5k - 22 minutes 20 seconds.
Hull 10k - 45 minutes 46 seconds.
Wollaton 10k - 44 minutes 53 seconds.
Twin Peaks Midnight Walk - 8k. - 2 hours 37 minutes.
Leeds 10k - 46 minutes 8 seconds.
York 10k - 46 minutes 31 seconds.
Birmingham Color Run 5k - 45 minutes 38 seconds.
Isle of Wight Challenge 56k
Wild Warrior 10k
Robin Hood Half Marathon 21k
Men's Health Challenge Nottingham 12k

If you wish to donate please visit www.justgiving.com/adamfretwellpt